Watch For Ticks On Spring Outings

Tularemia and other tick-borne illnesses are reported every year in South Dakota so it’s important that residents protect themselves as they head outdoors, says a state health official.

“Using repellent and checking often for ticks are the best ways to prevent tularemia, Rocky Mountain spotted fever and other tick-borne illnesses,” said Dr. Lon Kightlinger, state epidemiologist for the Department of Health. “Ticks need to be attached for several hours to spread infection so you can cut your risk by checking for ticks often and removing them right away. Tucking pants into your socks and spraying clothes and exposed skin with repellent further cuts your risk.”

In 2014 the department investigated two cases of Lyme disease, three of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, five of tularemia and one of babesiosis. Most areas of South Dakota are not suitable habitat for the Ioxdes deer tick that carries Lyme disease as it prefers heavily forested areas such as those in Wisconsin and Minnesota. South Dakota Lyme disease cases have typically had tick bites out-of-state.

A 2011 tick survey by SDSU did not find deer ticks in the locations tested but did find numerous Dermacentor dog ticks, which are common all over South Dakota. The dog tick doesn’t carry Lyme disease bit it does transmit Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia and ehrlichiosis.

A tick bite is a small, painless red bump with a bright red halo. If a tick is attached, remove it with tweezers or tissue, pulling slowly and steadily, being careful not to crush it. Then apply antiseptic to prevent infection. If you use bare hands wash thoroughly with warm, soapy water and avoid touching your eyes before washing.  

Symptoms of tick-borne illness include sudden onset of a moderate-to-high fever, stiff neck, deep muscle pain, arthritis, fatigue, severe headache, chills, a rash on the arms and legs or around the site of the bite, and swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the neck. If you develop any of these symptoms after a tick bite, see your doctor.   

Other precautions include:

• Check small children thoroughly for ticks when they've been outside or had contact with pets or livestock that may have ticks.
• Use insecticides and collars to protect pets from ticks and limit the number they carry into the home. Apply insecticides and tick repellents to pet bedding.
• Check your animals frequently for ticks. Remove ticks from animals using forceps or tweezers to apply constant traction. If you must use your fingers, wear disposable gloves then wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.  

Fact sheets on specific tick-borne diseases can be found on the Department of Health web site at http://doh.sd.gov/diseases/infectious/diseasefacts/.

Lyme Disease Epidemic In the Hamptons

It's the Hamptons' [Suffolk County, Long Island, New York] dirty little secret: dozens of children and adults are being diagnosed with Lyme disease each day as officials mount a campaign to battle ticks. The problem has gotten so bad that Southampton Hospital launched the Tick-Borne Disease Resource Center to help residents bugging out over the tiny blood-suckers.

One physician, Dr Blake Kerr, told The Post he treats 100 patients a week for Lyme disease. "It's an epidemic," said Kerr, who runs Wainscott Walk-In Medical Center and last summer contracted Lyme and 2 other tick-borne illnesses simultaneously. Pediatrician Dr Nadia Persheff of Hampton Pediatrics in Southampton sees as many as 4 children a day for Lyme disease and 20 for tick bites -- including one 3-week-old baby who came in with 4 ticks on his back. "You have to check every kid and every baby," Persheff said. "We're much busier than last summer. I've never seen it like this."

Suffolk County was ground zero for Lyme disease in 2012, leading the state [New York State] with 689 reported cases, data show. In 2013, the number of reported cases dropped to 566, according to state data.

Still, locals believe the ticks -- and tick-related illnesses -- are growing every year. The culprits are often deer ticks, which carry Lyme or malaria-like diseases such as babesiosis and -- at the size of a poppy seed -- are much smaller than common wood ticks.

Lyme disease, a bacterial illness with symptoms of skin rash, headache, and fatigue can cause neurological damage and other serious problems if left untreated. Early treatment typically includes a single dose of antibiotics.

Brian Kelly, owner of East End Tick and Mosquito Control, said he has fielded frantic calls from out-of-towners who want him to remove ticks from their bodies. "People are realizing they're everywhere -- you can't even go to the beach without getting a tick," Kelly said.

Prevent Tick-Borne Illness On Spring Outings

Using repellent and checking often for ticks are the best ways to prevent tick-borne illnesses such as tularemia and Rocky Mountain spotted fever, says a state health official.

“Ticks need to be attached for several hours to spread infection so you can reduce your risk by checking for and removing ticks right away,” said Dr. Lon Kightlinger, state epidemiologist for the Department of Health. “Tuck pants into your socks and spray clothes and exposed skin with tick repellent to further reduce your risk.”

In 2013 the South Dakota  department investigated four cases of Lyme disease, seven of Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, seven of tularemia and one each of ehrlichiosis and babesiosis. The Ioxdes deer tick that carries Lyme disease prefers heavily forested areas In Wisconsin and Minnesota, so most areas of South Dakota are not suitable habitat for the species. All four Lyme disease cases had tick exposure out-of-state.

A 2011 tick survey by SDSU did not find deer ticks in the locations tested but did find plentiful numbers of Dermacentor dog ticks. The dog tick doesn’t carry Lyme disease but does transmit Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, tularemia and ehrlichiosis.

A tick bite is a small, painless red bump with a bright red halo. If a tick is attached, remove it with tweezers or tissue, pulling slowly and steadily, being careful not crush it. Then apply antiseptic to prevent infection. If you use bare hands wash thoroughly with warm, soapy water and don’t touch your eyes before washing.

Tick-borne illness symptoms include sudden onset of a moderate-to-high fever, stiff neck, deep muscle pain, arthritis, fatigue, severe headache, chills, a rash on the arms and legs or around the site of the bite, and swollen lymph nodes, particularly in the neck. If you develop any of these symptoms after a tick bite, see your doctor.

Other precautions include:

• Check frequently for ticks when outside, especially the scalp and folds of skin.
• Check small children thoroughly for ticks when they've been outside or had contact with pets or livestock that may have ticks.
• Use insecticides and collars to protect pets from ticks and limit the number they carry into the home. Apply insecticides and tick repellents to pet bedding.
• Check your animals frequently for ticks. Remove ticks from animals using forceps or tweezers to apply constant traction. If you must use your fingers, wear disposable gloves then wash hands thoroughly with soap and water.

10/26/ 2013 Daily Health News: Catholics Exposed to Hepatitis, Faster Tests for Sepsis and Lyme disease, Urine Test Detects Blood Clots

North Dakota Catholics warned of possible hepatitis exposure from bishop during communion

Hundreds of people may have been exposed to hepatitis A during ...the communion wafer and wine, "Catholic mass will continue," he said. Continue Reading

New Blood Test 'Detects Sepsis in Hours'

A rapid blood test to diagnose blood poisoning, or sepsis, at the hospital bedside could potentially save thousands of lives..Continue Reading

Nanotechnology Urine Test Could Detect Deadly Blood Clots

Blood clots, often unexposed until they break away and result in a stroke or heart attack, can form for a number of reasons in anyone. But now, researchers from MIT have developed a simple urine test that uses nano particles to detect thrombin, a major blood-clotting element.Continue Reading

Lyme Disease Tests Draw Scrutiny

The announcement spread quickly through the Web to Lyme disease patients across the United States. A small private lab had made an exciting breakthrough, the email said, developing a surefire way to identify the debilitating disease in people. To throngs of sick people in New England, where Lyme disease has become a major health concern, the note offered hope that finally, they would have proof that their chronic health problems were caused by Lyme disease. Continue Reading